In brief: Blaze leads authorities to possible meth lab
A kitchen fire at an east Spokane home Tuesday morning led authorities to a suspected methamphetamine lab.
A resident, 59-year-old Linda J. Mauson, was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance, said Spokane police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe. A second arrest may be forthcoming.
The small blaze erupted about 10 a.m. in the 3000 block of East Diamond Avenue but was easily doused, fire officials said.
The Spokane Police Department’s drug unit responded and found ingredients used to make meth.
The investigation was ongoing, officials said.
The hazardous materials team was called to the home to dispose of the toxins.
Jody Lawrence-Turner
Mine, grenade in park belonged to military
An inert mine and grenade found Sunday in Liberty Park belonged to the military, but authorities were unable to determine which branch or how they ended up there.
A serial number engraved on the Claymore mine was charred beyond readability in a brush fire that led authorities to its discovery, said Staff Sgt. Connie Bias, a Fairchild Air Force Base spokeswoman.
The mine and the grenade were not explosive, and no one was in danger, authorities said.
Officials continued Tuesday to investigate the cause of Sunday’s small blaze, which started during twilight hours and led firefighters to the mine.
Jody Lawrence-Turner
Air agency buying building for offices
The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency will move from its longtime home at the Spokane Regional Health District building.
The agency, formerly known as the Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority, is buying the SoHo Bath and Kitchen Gallery near Spokane Community College and hopes to move in late October, said Ron Edgar, the agency’s chief of technical services.
The clean air group will pay $469,000 for the building, $63,000 to remodel it and $15,000 in moving expenses. Most of the money will come from a fund the agency has built from fines paid for violations of clean-air regulations, Edgar said.
The county treasurer’s office will loan the agency $225,000 for the building, at 3104 E. Augusta. The agency will pay back the money over five years, plus about $25,000 in interest.
Spokane County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to pay off the loan with other county funds if the agency defaults.
Edgar said the agency will gain space and save money by having its own building. It currently pays the health district $54,410 a year in rent.
Jonathan Brunt
Coeur d’Alene
School board backs ban on cell phones
School officials in North Idaho, troubled by what they describe as illicit use of cell phones by students, are considering sending their own message: No cell phones allowed.
Board members of the Coeur d’Alene School District on Monday recommended banning cell phones and other electronic devices starting next fall because of an array of misbehavior. Officials say that includes cheating, distributing pornography, bullying, and even making drug deals.
Deanne Clifford, assistant principal at Lake City High School, said that since January there have been 145 incidents of harassment by students of other students using text messages.
Associated Press